There is a desktop folder though: ~/Desktop :) --- eOS is not the only Linux with the same approach: if you get used to it, the best way to start any program, even in Windows and Mac, is to type a few letters in a search application, the way the Slingshot allows in eOS. Or you may try Synapse. As for 'shortcuts' always visible for some programs, you can keep them in the Dock
– user170Jul 9 '15 at 10:00

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@cipricus in his screenshot, there is no desktop folder.
– user3Jul 12 '15 at 20:24

@Tim - True. But how can that be? Can't be any mistery about that. Freya creates a desktop folder. Luna too, as far as I remember. Wasn't that folder deleted?
– user170Jul 12 '15 at 20:34

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@cipricus no, by default in elementary OS there is no Desktop folder. Installing nautilus does add it back however.
– user3Jul 12 '15 at 20:35

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The fact that there is a 'Desktop' item in the pantheon-files app as well as a ~/Desktop folder created by default in the user home dir is consistently going to create confusion for new users of Elementary. Apparently attempts to eliminate the folder have been unsuccessful
– SethJun 17 '16 at 15:14

6 Answers
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elementary tends to take a perspective of "why?" rather than "why not?". Coding and supporting a feature like placing an icon view over the wallpaper takes time to design, code, test, etc. This would be a significant time investment and they don't currently feel that this feature is more important than the others they are working on. It also carries performance implications as this would be another process constantly running in the background whether in use or not.

Ideally files are stored in their respective directories in your Home (Music, Videos, Downloads, etc). However your Home directory is also available as a staging area. The assumption is that file management happens in the file manager app.

Quick launching of apps happens in the dock. You can drag and drop any app from the Applications menu to the dock or right click any running app and select "Keep in Dock".

If you'd still like to install a piece of software to place icons on the desktop, it is possible. Typically this feature is provided by a file manager. Popular alternatives include Nautilus (GNOME Files) and Nemo. Both are available to install from the Software Center. Quassy's answer includes more in-depth information about installation, configuration, and setting up auto-run.

I always thought (i.e. I read on some elementary blog so long ago I don't remember where precisely) the philosophy of why it's disabled is because the desktop is for showing wallpaper and icons should be in the file manager :D
– jenaJun 21 '16 at 20:54

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Judging by the number of upvotes for the OP and various answers, I think there is a compelling 'Why'--a lot of people want the option. I'd find this the case with many new converts from the windows/osx side of the fence. Maybe the ideal isn't coding it into the native file manager, but instead during install of eOS provide an option to use a more traditional file manager like nautauls
– RayDec 29 '16 at 19:24

While Daniel Foré adequately explains the design decision, it does not answer the actual question. You can get the old desktop paradigm back by installing the Nautilus file manager (part of the Gnome project). Also Nautilus will appear inside Slingshot as a second, alternative filemanger to Pantheon Files.

Install Nautilus without all the related Gnome packages and dconf-editor, by running the following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends nautilus dconf-tools

Edit the following config entries by running dconf-editor in terminal or starting dconf-editor from Slingshot:

I've removed the "not recommended" piece, because you've given no basis as to why.
– RolandiXorJul 20 '15 at 3:31

@RolandiXor I think the main reason for it not being recommended is the design decisions, but also the fact that the file managers tend to be more integrated that other apps, and Nautilus has previously conflicted with Pantheon Files (I don't quite remember what was happening, but it made both unusable).
– Lewis Goddard♦Jul 21 '15 at 18:41

Well without a concrete reason, it cannot be listed as "not recommended".
– RolandiXorJul 21 '15 at 22:59

I think the original "not recommended" wasn't so much as this community doesn't recommend it, as elementary do not recommend it. So long as the post contains any known issues, I have no problem with the answer as-is.
– Lewis Goddard♦Jul 22 '15 at 8:38

That option is not available by default because it goes against the design behind elementary OS - that it's a clean and well designed environment.

Applications should be started by using Slingshot. Press Alt + F2 or Super + Space and enter the first letters of the application you want to start.

Alternatively you can use kupfer or synapse for that purpose. .desktop files are saved in your home folder under .local/share/applications/ and globally in /usr/local/share/applications if you want to edit the entries that appear in these launchers.

When you edit them, copy to the home area one and then edit. This will prevent program updates overwriting your changes.

The recommended directory for your documents is the Documents folder in your home directory.

It is possible (see my answer). .desktop files don't only reside in ~/.local/share/applications, but /usr/share/applications is also possible. (On other systems it could also be /usr/local/share/applications.)
– quassyJun 30 '15 at 19:06